BY JEFF CHUDZINSKINorth Country This Week

CANTON -- County officials are rolling over funding from a Workforce Grant from the New York State Office of Mental Health in the Community Services Department.

Legislators approved the measure during the March 17 Services Committee meeting.

According to Director Jay Ullrich, the OMH Workforce Grant is administered and managed by OMH, with funds made available to eligible providers to enhance the workforce.

The funds originally came to the county in 2022, with a budget modification done in 2023 to formally accept the grant.

The new resolution now extends the roll over period to March 31, 2025, allowing Community Services to expend the remaining $5,552, Ullrich said.

The grant was originally $24,000, with $18,448 having been expended, he said.

Per OMH, a letter was sent to the office requesting an extension, which was subsequently approved.

In other action, legislators also approved a contract with Coordinated Care Service, Inc. for the preparations of the 2024 consolidated fiscal report.

Ullrich said the department has been contracting with the firm since 2021 to great success, with the average cost landing around $14,000 per year.

"They really have done great work each year," Ullrich said.

He noted that CCSi has continually come in under budget as well, another key reason he said the department was eager to continue the relationship.

CCSI provides support in behavioral health and human services, specifically in financial reporting, claiming and budgeting for many counties and providers, county officials said.

According to Ullrich, CCSI's services are required to prepare and submit the 2024 CFR and provide specialized Local Government Unit (LGU) fiscal support.

The rate CCSI will receive is $115 per hour, not to exceed $20,000.